Reini and Lavender (CLOSED)

She smiles back.

Cienth tuts at him and stoops to grab his hand. She turns it back and forth in the air, observing the cut from different angles, before pulling him up. He cradles his bloody fingers to his chest and shrugs once more.

"I can't believe you, Azmael. What in the world am I going to do with you?"

"Hopefully get me some bandages." He dramatically pretends to faint, casting a sneaky wink at Djynn. "I think I'm going to die of blood loss. That and embarrassment."

"Embarrassment? I'm the one that should be embarrassed," she teases, but waves a medic over anyway. Cienth nods over to Djynn. "Do you need any help?"

Djynn chuckles a little before addressing Cienth. "No ma'am, I'm fine."

"With this one around? I'm surprised you're still in one piece." She bonks Azmael on the head. He whines jokingly, sticking his bottom lip out a little.

"That's not fair, Ci. You were the one that burnt dinner last night!" He winces as the medic ties up his wounds. "At least I know how to cook soup!"

"But you can't cook noodles. Anyway, is your mentor somewhere around, darling? You shouldn't be fighting without them nearby."

She shrugs. "I had frustrated him earlier, and he told me too go practice while he cooled off. Literally."

"That's awful! A mentor should never, ever leave their student alone while they're in battle!"

"You did," Azmael points out. She whacks him again.

"That was different! I'm sorry you have to see us like this. I promise we're normally nicer."

(Gtg. I'll be back.)
Djynn smiles. "I believe it."

(Ok! Tell me when you're back and I'll reply.)

(I"M BACK!!!)

(That was eager! Hey!)

Cienth claps her hands together. "Good! You better bet we'll be seeing you around. Well, only if you want us too, of course. Between just us, I wouldn't blame you if you don't want him hanging around. He's a public safety hazard."

"I'm right here!" he yelps.

"And you're being a hazard!"

"I'm not the one hitting people!" He ducks as her arm flies out again. "Leave me alone, you crazy woman!"

Djynn laughs, and then straightens as her mentor comes over. "Hello Master Vandar, I see you've cooled off." She says, smirking since he's still slightly smoking. "Djynn. I see you've made acquaintances." He says, regarding Cienth and Azmael.

Azmael waves his bandaged hand at Vandar. His mouth quirks up as he looks between the two of them. "Hello! I'm Azmael. You're hot. Literally. Is that smoke?"

Cienth scowls at the newcomer. "I can't believe you would let your student train alone! Don't you think that's irresponsible?"

Vsndar rolls his eyes at Azmael's question before answering Cienth. "Not at all. She is quite capable. Besides, I had needed to privately -clears throat- calm down. How was I supposed to know she'd go off and train." He eyeballs Djynn at this statement. She innocently smiles back.

Azmael leaps in front of Djynn. "That wasn't her fault, sir! I asked her to. It was a very awful introduction, so I have no clue why she agreed, but it still wasn't near her fault. She's as innocent as a baby! More innocent, probably. What's more innocent than a baby? Maybe a baby animal? I don't know, but you can't be mad at her. She did really good! I've never seen someone do anything like that before. It was all 'zap!' and 'fog!', which was so cool! Fog doesn't actually go fog, though. But she could do stuff with fog! Did you know that? It's so incredible! Training was so much fun. Do you think we could do it again? I have to ask you, sir, but I don't really think it's up to you. I think it's up to her."

"Azmael!" Cienth hisses, but he doesn't stop.

"Djynn is so amazing. I know we just met, but I'd like to meet more. Is that the right way to say that? Meet more? Be more met? Do the meeting? Become more met? None of that sounds good. What do you think?"

(Lol, Azmael is a great and hilarious character.)

(I forgot to mention he talks a lot when he's nervous)

Vandar holds up a hand. "I don't know! Just stop!" His hair starts smoking a bit more.

He doesn't notice, buried too deep in his own thoughts. "Wouldn't it be great if words were easier to learn? Language is so hard sometimes! So is talking, honestly, especially to pretty people. It's rough because everyone these days is pretty! There's too many good-looking folks in the world. I can't help it! If you can believe it, I have a tendency to talk too much when I'm around people that scare me. Can you believe that? I can't. I don't think I talk much at all. I think I talk goodly! Goodly? Wait, no. More gooder! That's the one, right?"

"Are you saying I'm scaring you?" Vandar says in a deadpan tone, clearly exasperated.
Djynn is trying not to laugh.

"I'm terrified of you!" Azmael announces, nodding happily. "I'm glad you got my point! See, I talk so good! I'm the best at talking! There's no one better! Everyone these days is pretty and unfairly rude. That's my conclusion, I think. Do you have any thoughts, sir?"

"No. I don't." He snaps. His hair is now has tiny little flames.
"Sir, you might want to go calm down again." Djynn says, making a great effort not to laugh.
"Great idea Djynn." He mutters, walking out of the building.

Azmael looks around innocently, his eyes wide. "Did I do something? What was he so angry about?"

"You ranted again, sweetheart," Cienth says in a soft voice. His face falls.

"Oh… sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm so, so, so-"

"Sweetie."

"Ack. I am sorry, Djynn."

"Don't be sorry Azmael. He gets pissed off easily."

"But… I…" Azmael suddenly can't find the right words. He tucks his injured hand under his other arm and looks away. "I'm still sorry. I don't mean to blabber on, I really don't. I… I get nervous, and…"

She puts her hand on his shoulder, smiling. "Hey. It's okay. I don't think I've seen him get that flustered before. It was great."

"That's not a good thing!" he wails miserably. He hugs her suddenly, putting his head on her shoulder, and then immediately pulls back. "Sorry- oh, sorry, I… comfort, I just… I'm too old to be doing stuff like this, I just get so, so nervous."

"Breathe," Ci says, concerned, but he doesn't hear her. He squeezes his eyes shut and swallows, trying to stop his head from hurting. It rages at full force as his heart rate spikes.

"I… have anxiety when… I get really scared, and I get headaches…" he pants in an explanation, turning away so she can't see him. "It's all right. Give me a second, and…"

She hugs him back. "Hey, it's alright. I understand."

His body stiffens, then relaxes. There's still a blistering, burning pain gathering behind his eyes, but he's finally able to breathe a little easier. He presses his finger into the scar on his hand to distract himself and lowers his head onto her shoulder once more.

"You don't even… you don't even know me. Why didn't you leave when you had the chance? I talked for so long… I always do that. Now your mentor probably hates me… and you…"

"I don't hate you. Far from it. As for Vandar, he hates everyone. Don't take it personal."

"But why don't you?" He pulls away again, but keeps his finger pressed to his scar. "Everything you've seen of me has been… not good. You should hate me, or at least think I'm weird."

Cienth makes a sad sound. "You're not weird, Mae. You need to stop saying that."

"What else am I supposed to call myself? That's all I ever hear." His nail digs into the cut, and he shakes his head. "This isn't… isn't going to work. I'm sorry, Djynn. For a little bit, I thought things were going to go right, but I don't think I can do this. I'm sorry. Tell your mentor that you beat me in a fight, or whatever you want to. I don't want to be dramatic, I really don't, but… I feel like I'm going to just… split in half…"